If you live with someone who uses opioids, or you work somewhere overdoses happen, one of the first questions is usually: do I need a prescription? The answer has been no since 2015, and since 2023 you do not even need to speak to a pharmacist. Getting naloxone in Colorado is now closer to buying aspirin than navigating a medical appointment.

You do not need a prescription

According to the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Misuse Prevention, since 2015 consumers in Colorado could purchase naloxone without a prescription under a statewide standing order. The standing order was created by the state's chief medical officer, allowing participating pharmacies to dispense the medication directly to anyone who asked. No individual physician prescription was needed.

In 2023, the threshold dropped further. Naloxone was approved as an over-the-counter medication, which means you do not need to speak to pharmacy staff at all. Walk in, pick it up, pay, and leave.

What the statewide standing order means in practice

Before the 2023 over-the-counter designation, the standing order was what let Colorado residents skip the prescription process. It is a blanket authorization from the state's chief medical officer covering all residents, rather than individuals named on a prescription. Pharmacists at participating locations could fill requests without a doctor's involvement.

For residents in rural Western Colorado, where primary care providers are thin on the ground, this was not a minor technicality. If you could not easily get a doctor's appointment, the standing order meant you did not need one to get naloxone. That changed at the state level in 2015.

The fentanyl crisis has hit Western Slope communities hard. Our coverage of the fentanyl situation in Western Slope rural Colorado explains why fast access to overdose reversal medication matters so much in this region.

Finding a pharmacy that stocks naloxone

More than 500 pharmacies across Colorado carry naloxone, according to the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Misuse Prevention. The Stop the Clock Colorado locator tool lists both pharmacies and community-based organizations that distribute it, searchable by zip code.

One thing worth doing before making the trip: call ahead. Even with that many stocking pharmacies, individual locations can run short. A quick call confirms availability and saves a wasted drive.

Major chains like CVS, Walgreens, and King Soopers carry it at most Colorado locations. Independent rural pharmacies have also been stocking it more widely as demand has grown.

Getting naloxone for free

Cost should not stop you from getting naloxone. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) provides free naloxone to local health departments and other eligible entities to reduce opioid-involved deaths, according to El Paso County Public Health. At the local level, though, free naloxone may be limited to entities classified as high-priority under the CDPHE's Naloxone Bulk Fund Prioritization Plan.

Individuals can sometimes get it free through their county public health department, local harm reduction programs, or community organizations funded by CDPHE. If you are in Garfield, Mesa, Delta, or any other Western Slope county, your county health department is the first place to call. They can provide it directly or point you toward someone who does.

If you are trying to help a family member navigate opioid use, the guide on how to help someone with a substance abuse problem includes naloxone in its broader harm reduction discussion.

Vending machines: private and available any hour

If you want access outside pharmacy hours or would rather skip a counter interaction, naloxone vending machines are another option. According to Denver Health, vending machines have been placed throughout Colorado to provide private, 24-hour access.

Locations vary by county. University campuses, community health centers, and some social service offices have hosted them. The Stop the Clock locator tool sometimes lists vending machine locations alongside pharmacy results when you search your area.

What to do after you have naloxone

Getting it is half the work. Most nasal spray formulations come with clear instructions, and brief training is available from many pharmacies and health departments. The basic steps: one spray into one nostril, call 911 immediately, then give a second dose after two to three minutes if the person does not respond. Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose within minutes, but it wears off after a period of time. That is why 911 is not optional even when the first dose works.

If you want to understand what treatment looks like after an overdose event, the guide on how buprenorphine, naltrexone, and methadone work covers the medication-assisted treatment options that come next.

The free behavioral health resources guide for Colorado's Western Slope lists what else is available in this region beyond emergency medication.

Need crisis support now?

If someone is in an overdose emergency, call 911 immediately. For behavioral health crisis support in Western Colorado, our crisis resources line is available 24/7.

Crisis support resources

Common questions about naloxone in Colorado

Can you get naloxone in Colorado without a prescription?

Yes. According to the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Misuse Prevention, since 2015 consumers in Colorado could purchase naloxone without a prescription under a statewide standing order, and since 2023 it has been approved as an over-the-counter medication requiring no interaction with pharmacy staff.

Which pharmacies in Colorado carry naloxone (Narcan)?

According to the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Misuse Prevention, more than 500 pharmacies in Colorado carry naloxone. They can be found using the Stop the Clock Colorado locator tool.

Can I get free naloxone in Colorado?

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment provides free naloxone to local health departments and other eligible entities. As noted by El Paso County Public Health, free naloxone at the local level may be limited to entities classified as high-priority under the CDPHE's Naloxone Bulk Fund Prioritization Plan.

Are there naloxone vending machines in Colorado?

Yes. According to Denver Health, naloxone vending machines have been placed throughout Colorado to provide private access to the medication at any hour.

How do I find a pharmacy near me in Colorado that sells naloxone?

Use the Stop the Clock Colorado locator tool at nextdistro.org. It lists pharmacies and community-based organizations by location. Call ahead to confirm stock before making the trip.

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